Tracy Chapman

Freedom Now

Tracy Chapman is a multi-platinum and four-time Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter.

This song, recorded for Chapman's 1989 record, Crossroads, was dedicated to Nelson Mandela.

Lyrics

They throwed him in jail
And they kept him there
Hoping soo he'd die
That his body and spirit would waste away
And soon after that his mind
But every day is born a fool
One who thinks that he can rule
One who says tomorrow's mine
One who wakes one day to find
The prison doors open the shackles broken
And chaos in the street
Everybody sing we're free free free free
Everybody sing we're free free free free
Everybody sing we're free free free free
They throwed him in jail
And they kept him there
Hoping his memory'd die
That the people forget how he once led
And fought for justice in their lives
But every day is born a man
Who hates what he can't understand
Who thinks the answer is to kill
Who thinks his actions are god's will
And he thinks he's free free free free
Yes he thinks he's free free free free
He thinks he's free free free free
Soon must come the day
When the righteous have their way
Unjustly tried are free
And people live in peace I say
Give the man release
Go on and set your conscience free
Right the wrongs you made
Even a fool can have his day
Let us all be free free free free
Let us all be free free free free
Let us all be free free free free
Free our bodies free our minds
Free our hearts
Freedom for everyone
And freedom now
Freedom now
Freedom now
Freedom now
Let us all be free free free free
Let us all be free free free free
Let us all be free free free free